⏰ Leave 10-15 minutes before* their scheduled nap time
This will prevent your baby from becoming too overtired and overstimulated beforehand, helping to prevent them from protesting, resting their sleep, or becoming increasingly unsettled in the car 🤞🏻🩷
🧸 Bring their comforters
Provided your baby is over the age of 7 months, giving them their comforters to snuggle up to once they’re in the car will help signal that it is time to sleep, especially if they only have them at bedtime 🥰
🎶 Use a portable white noise machine or play soothing music in the car
We have one CD that we have played for both Noah and Theo when we have had to resort to car naps, and it has worked 99.9% of the time! 🤞🏻 Funnily enough it happens to be the music I listened to during both my pregnancies 🥰
🆘 Be mentally prepared for a catnap
As frustrating as it is, it is perfectly fine if your baby only has a catnap! ANY nap is better than no nap! 👏🏻 As your baby gets older, the more likely they are to wake after one sleep cycle because light triggers their brain to release cortisol, the stress hormone, to wake them up 😫
🛑 Minimal stops
Try and plan a trip where there are minimal stops and starts - Particularly if you have a baby anything like ours where they ping their eyes open 👀 and cry as soon as you slow down or have to stop at a red light! 🚦
With that said, if you are struggling with your baby’s sleep and they aren’t consolidating any of their naps, please reach out and book a consultation via www.settletosleep.com.au so we can support you in restoring sleep for you and your family 🩷🌸💫